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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Paris in Autumn

It's been a while, and although we
only spent a few days in Paris, I have been simply snowed under since we
came back. I hope you enjoy the images of Paris in late autumn, and
have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Place de Vosges, Marais

Paris
was not nearly as cold and wintery as mid France, which we passed in
the high speed train coming from the still relatively mild South (golden
leaves still decorate the trees and vine fields)

No snow in Paris, it was just cool and fresh, with the occasional rain shower

On the evening of Nov 20th, cafés, bistros and
restaurant all over town decorated their interior and exterier to celebrate the
arrival of the 2013 Beaujolais Nouveau.

At the stroke of midnight, the corks of the new vintage were pulled
simultaneously all over France (an annual event, held every third
Thursday in November). Street parties and festitivies all over Paris marked the
occasion, and DH and I toasted our anniversary at the
same time.

Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!

In
Paris, cold and rainy days can be the most fun... with endless cafés
and restaurants being the perfect excuse to indulge in late breakfasts
and lunches and long dinners.

The
Café de Flore is an old favorite, and it feels exactly the same today
as when I came for the first time, which is longer ago than I dare to
remember! Love the paper covers for the small round tables, which show
the bustling atmosphere in and around the Flore, captured with great
humor by the cartoonist Sempé.

The
'Le Petit Zinc' is just around the corner from the Café de Flore. I've
never been inside, but can not resist taking a picture each time I go
past..

The Brasserie Lipp
is a another wonderful Saint-Germain classic with a long tradition and
history, and still has the same atmosphere described by Hemingway in the
'Moveable Feast'. The waiters are old school, the linen crisp and the
menu classic french bistro style. The kitchen is open from midday until
1:00 am, which makes the Lipp a perfect place for a late lunch.

No cell phones at the tables please :-)

There
was not much Christmas decoration to be seen yet, but I loved the
garlands decorating the entrance to Ralph's on the Boulevard
Saint-Germain

The lavender sachets are back in stock, please click here for details and on how to order

A
new horn pencil holder which can be purchased either separately or as
part of a beautiful desk set (DH already asked if he could have one!).
The pencil holder is, like the other horn items in my home collection,
hand carved and polished to a beautiful lustrous sheen. The desk set
contains a pencil holder, a small round bowl and a small oval dish. For
more info and how to order please click here

This is interesting: I wish I understand the "no cell phones allowed" rule! Do people find it disturbing to have someone talking on the phone next to them? I would like to hear all different opinions about this one. Love the sachets, great for Christmas gifts!

If I might say my opinion: maybe the life got very busy and mobile phone is a part of "rush", regardless of its usefulness. Therefore, I often feel a need to hide it somewhere and stop its sound...and think it is very nice there is some spot where no phones are allowed...to take a moment of rest from it, when needed. Cell phone is useful but also used in an abusive way these days, I feel. My opinion only and would appreciate such a restaurant in the city where I live (it does not exist). Lea

Agreed but we don't need signs this is or should be etiquette and consideration for others. Enjoy food, enjoy company, enjoy solitude at the right times without the drill of phones and phone conversations... to me it is basic good manners... even in the city where you see a restaurant full of "suits" you don't hear phones ringing (rib room example) it is not dining in McDonalds but a little more sophisticated. I am not troubled by it where I eat but on the trains it can be a nuisance when people are inconsiderate. Phones really should be there for a little convenience and emergency and disturbance kept to a minimum.

Personally, I don't find it disturbing at all if someone talks on the cell phone next to me. It's like someone talking to a friend in person, only by remote. The alternative for that person is to sit alone dining and that may be lonely. Consideration for that person is also necessary. In private clubs, it's a different story because the purpose is to meet people so instead of talking on the phone, one should be (theoretically) meeting new people, but in public places, I don't see the point of restricting cell phone usage and that's why most places don't.

I disagree, it is an unwritten rule to not be be using a phone at the table. In my book it is frowned upon to even have a phone out in view (likewise putting a bag on the table) it is just "not done" in polite society. People on a phone often talk with a much increased volume compared to natural conversation. Maitai what are your thoughts on this matter?

Unless eardrums are being broken or something like that, it's not disturbing at all. It makes no difference to me whether someone is having a conversation with a friend in person or on the cell phone. As far as "being rude" is concerned, unless you are at a private dinner party and you ignore everybody there and talk on your phone for half an hour, that's rude. But, I don't see what possible difference it would make to people/strangers in a restaurant sitting at the next table if you talk on your phone in normal conversation tones. It's none of their business!

Dear MaiTai, this post made my day. It's like receiving postcards from Paris. I have to say you are quite the skilled photographer as well. I really enjoyed the side angle shot of the cafe tables and chairs outside Le Petit Zinc. I also love the sign about no mobiles on the table. I completely agree with that statement. The dinner table is for enjoying fine wine, food and great company.

In North America cell phone use has become obnoxious in many cases. We're bombarded with it's overuse in lifts, trains/other forms of other public transit and public spaces. Use on the street is disturbing to others. It is a fact that people talk louder when using phones. Most people do not want to hear every detail of every conversation others have. It is sad that there needs to be physical signs to tell people this but it does seem manners and courtesy are going by the wayside more and more frequently. Even when dining alone I would never entertain the thought of having my mobile on or on the table. I was talking with some friends over brunch today and it is a common theme. We all turn ours off and put them away for respect of each others company, enjoyment of our meal and time together, and for the consideration of others around us. As a reminder one of my friends has a tongue in cheek rule; whoever pulls their mobile out, even to check the time or a text message pays the bill for the entire table. Due to the respect/manners we have no one has ever footed the entire table's bill for that reason. :)

Such beautiful pictutes. You spent a happy wedding birthday we can feel it through your so nice cafes, lipp, Flore, etc and probably new images from Hermes very soon.... It was ao cold and strong wind La Bise than we did not move a lot so your pictures are cheering me! We canceled Rome for a bad cold... I do not appreciate very much walking into snow and rain etc but with goid wine and... Strong health it looks as nice as your pictures! You also as usual is beautiful.AmitiesMonica

My dearest MaiTai,Your beautiful photographs brightened my day <3Through them you captured some of my favourite spots in Paris, namely Place des Voges and Café de Flore. So beautiful and special. Love Sempé´s drawings <3Happy anniversary to you and your DH. I hope you had a wonderful time in the city of romance and love.Congratulations on the new items of the MaiTai Home Collection. They bring charm and elegance to any desk.

I love your new horn desk set. I had been wondering what to get my husband for Christmas and am wondering no longer. It will be perfect for his new office which we are in the process of building. Thank you.

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! How lovely to be celebrating the occasion in Paris, and also to be there to sample the first uncorking of the Beaujolais Nouveau! DH and I drove 60km on the third Thursday to buy a few bottles as well. It's an eagerly awaited tradition in our home. But you were so fortunate to enjoy your a few strokes after midnight! :-) Prosit, dear.

Well the question concerning the tel forbidden in a restaurant etc asking if disturbing is absolutely stupid.Of course it's disturbing people to hear all the life of others just besides..... Loudly most of the time

I don't see anybody "asking if disturbing is absolutely stupid", those are your words. Of course, disturbing people is not a good thing, but many people are not disturbed by others using a cell phone next to them in a restaurant, especially if they themselves are engaged in an interesting conversation with their own friends, they wouldn't even notice it.

I cannot believe that so many persons agree with the fact of disturbing other ones with personal, loudly, explaining all their life at table! Sorry Mai Tai I thought your followers better educated! How can we accept to hear the ringing and after all the private conversation of these people...I am astonished in the bad way of this bad education.Monica

I like your photo with Trés Kelly (of course, it does not mean I do not like other photos, which are phantastic as well). Maybe for the fact it was my first twilly and and a very nice person brought it to me from US after a complicated procedure. Now you radiate with happiness and style wearing "my" twilly :)The new addition to your collection is superb and your collection is just adorable, enjoyable, phantastic! Congrats for your ideas, style and attention to detail once again! (Have some of those items in my scarf drawer, of course). Lea

Welcome back, my dearest MaiTai, and a Happiest Anniversary to you and your DH! What a most lovely and romantic celebration for your special day. As always, thank you for the beautiful Paris photos - they are such a special treat. I couldn't agree more with dear Manuela - your amazing pictures and the stories you tell through them always brighten my day like no other. This is truly a magical happy place <3Congratulations to yet another wonderful addition to the gorgeous MT Home Collection - you are a genius, my dear MaiTai. Sending you lots of love and warmest December friendship hugs xox

Thank you for your very kind words, dear Scarf Enthusiast. I look forward to your comments too. I read them with great pleasure. For me they are also a lesson in English. Big friendship hugs to you too xox

Thanks so much everyone for commenting and sharing your thoughts. It is so nice to know you enjoyed the Paris pictures, and many thanks for your kind good wishes re our anniversary.

It certainly has been a interesting and heated discussion re the ‘no cell phone’ rule!

I think it's important to remember that we all live in different environments, time and cultural zones, coming from different generations, backgrounds and walks of life. Miraculously, the internet is a place where we can meet and exchange despite all these differences, but it is no surprise that sometimes conflicting views occur. It is worth remembering that some attitudes might be acceptable in one environment, but considered inappropriate in another, and vice versa.

France is undoubtedly a more formal country, where etiquette and manners are kept up in a stricter way than in many other places. I appreciate this aspect of France, it is one of the many reasons I enjoy living here. Meal times especially are an important part of french culture. Some restaurants are more traditional than others, and should I not feel comfortable with a policy, I can always go somewhere else.

Personally, I switch my phone to ‘silent’ when in a restaurant, and leave it in my bag..